The Thermo Scientific Biomarkers Thyroid Forum was held in Berlin on 5 November 2011. The event was supported by the European Group on Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO). A total of 90 participants from eight European countries met in Berlin for an interdisciplinary exchange. They included internists, endocrinologists, ophthalmologists and laboratory doctors.

Ten speakers from various disciplines presented current medical trends and scientific developments on the topic of Graves' Orbitopathy (GO), and thus covered a broad range of specialised topics. The goal of the event, which was certified by the medical association, was, among other things, to raise awareness of the clinical and economic importance of GO, to provide a practical representation of current therapeutic and diagnostic concepts and to present the immunohistological and genetic background of the illness.

The 2nd International Workshop on Graves' Orbitopathy was divided into three thematic blocks: 1. Introduction to the genetics and immunology of GO, 2. Importance of diagnostic procedures and the economic influence of GO, 3. Therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of GO. Under the scientific leadership of Prof. George J. Kahaly (Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz), the prominent lecturers not only reported from the perspective of their disciplines, but also made themselves available afterwards to answer the questions of the participants. This provided the guests with an outstanding platform to critically challenge and discuss the lectures.

The final highlight was the presentation of a selected clinical case. Diagnostic and therapeutic questions were to be answered in a multiple choice test using a TED system. Each participant could test the state of his/her current knowledge here. At the same time, the poll results once again provided an interesting discussion platform.

In addition to the transfer of knowledge concerning current medical and scientific findings, the interdisciplinary exchange of views was also of great importance. The participants’ extremely positive feedback on the content, organisation and mood confirms that the general expectations of the expert public at the International Workshop were exceeded. This forum once again made very clear that cooperation and the exchange of knowledge over boundaries can expand horizons, alter viewpoints and encourage the development of new ideas.

An international European committee of experts made the Thyroid Forum an occasion for a meeting to discuss the benefits of the anti-Tg as a tumour marker and formulate recommendations for routine application. This group of experts included representatives from industry (Thermo Scientific Biomarkers), key opinion leaders from the field of thyroid cancer and the managing director of the Bundesverband Schilddrüsenkrebs (Federal Association for Thyroid Cancer). The participants also agreed to organise additional conferences. The next meeting is planned for 2012 at the conference of the European Thyroid Association in Pisa.